Eager to host the traditional Penn Halloween party in the president's house, University President Amy Gutmann said she plans on moving into her new residence by Oct. 26.
Gutmann was unable to immediately occupy the president's house because of construction efforts led by Facilities and Real Estate Services. Since arriving from Princeton University in July, Gutmann has been living temporarily in Rittenhouse Square, and says that she is excited to finally settle into her new abode.
"It will feel to me like home," she said of the 3812 Walnut St. mansion, which dates back to 1912 and has been housing University presidents since the early 1980s.
While Gutmann focuses on selecting artwork and family photographs to decorate the walls, Facilities Services has been working to bring the house up to code with modern-day heating and handicap-accessibility standards.
"You cannot really get in and do anything of substance while the house is being occupied," Vice President for Facilities Services Omar Blaik said. Facilities Services is instead using "the opportunity of a transition" to add a ramp, a handicap-accessible first-floor bathroom and an upgraded boiler system to the house.
"If a disabled student cannot feel welcome coming to the president's house, it becomes a major issue of equity among students," Blaik said, noting the importance of the handicap-focused renovations.
The heating overhaul was prompted by past problems.
"It was a major struggle for us to deal with such an outdated system," Blaik said. The new boilers will hopefully protect Gutmann from the wintertime loss of heat that Blaik said plagued former Penn President Judith Rodin's family periodically over the past three or four years.
But though the home serves a personal function for Gutmann and her family, its overarching purpose is to facilitate entertainment.
"The house is a major destination for all sorts of functions and gathering events that the president hosts for the campus community," Blaik said.
Gutmann also acknowledged the unique role of the building.
"It will be a lot different from my previous home," she said.
Gutmann is also planning on distinguishing the interior from that of her predecessor by incorporating her personal taste into the mix.
"I asked them to repaint it in nice, light colors," she said.
With nearly three months of work completed, the renovation process is entering its final step -- cleaning.
"Most of the construction is done -- it's just dusty from the drilling, sawing and cutting," said Christine Anderson, a City Cleaning Company employee who is working on the facility.
Anderson said it should take two or three days to finish cleaning the walls, floors, windows and built-in cabinetry that was newly installed for Gutmann. Her furniture still has not arrived.
Anderson described the four-story home as "very big and beautiful," with eight bathrooms -- including a master bath complete with jacuzzi.
Noting the dark mahogany wood that accents many of the rooms, Anderson also described the detailed ornamentation of the banisters.
"It's not hard, it's just tedious," she said of her time spent polishing the intricate design.
